About Us

The Pediatric Nursing Certification Board

Thank you for making us the leader in certification for nursing professionals who provide care to children and adolescents. Our caring team members, like these staff from Customer Service, Exam & CE Development, and Volunteer Services, are honored to support you.

Breadcrumb

Prestigious. Acclaimed. Respected.

These are just a few of the ways leaders in the specialized field of pediatric nursing have described our rigorous certification programs. We remain the largest independent pediatric nursing certification organization in the country. More than 95% of all pediatric nursing professionals who certify choose the PNCB. And they stay certified... 98% of all PNCB-certified nurses recertified for 2016.

Mission

Vision

Every child receives care from a PNCB certified nursing professional.

Values

Our core values demonstrate the ideals we strive to uphold in meeting our mission and vision. These values reflect PNCB's beliefs and the behaviors we promote to guide the actions of certificants, volunteers, and staff.

Integrity: Acting with honesty and taking accountability for all we do and say.

Quality: Promoting excellence throughout all our interactions.

Innovation: Providing visionary leadership for the present and future.

1975

PNCB established

Our story begins in 1975 when we were established to develop a certification program for primary care pediatric nurse practitioners by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), and the Association of Faculties of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (AFPNP).

1977

Primary Care CPNP exam launched

Our Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Primary Care (CPNP-PC) exam continues to be the certification examination of choice for graduating PNPs. Since that time, PNCB has certified more than 19,000 CPNP-PCs.

1989

CPN exam launched

In response to a national survey of pediatric RNs who indicated a desire and need to participate in board certification, we developed the Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) exam. More than 25,000 nurses actively hold the CPN credential.

2003

Name change

Our name is changed from the National Certification Board of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses to the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board.

2005

CPNP-AC exam launched

This year, after careful role delineation research, we became the only certification board to offer certification for acute care PNPs. Since the launch of our Acute Care Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP-AC) exam, more than 2,000 PNPs have earned the credential.

2008

Institute of Pediatric Nursing created

To support the profession and collaboratively explore critical issues for nurses, educators, and families, we established a standing committee of thought leaders to optimize child health. The Institute of Pediatric Nursing offers many complimentary resources to support the profession.

2009

No Pass, No Pay offered

No Pass, No Pay was introduced in 2009 as the first employer program to support nurses seeking certification. There is no cost for employers to enroll, and they only pay exam fees when nurses pass. Nurses pay no money upfront to apply.

2011

PMHS specialty certification offered

In 2011, we launched the Pediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist (PMHS) certification exam to improve access to care for children and adolescents experiencing behavioral and mental health concerns. Primary care advanced practice nurses can now be recognized for their added expertise in this area with a national credential.

2014

CPNP-PC exam selected by Canada

Beginning in 2014, Canadian regulators chose our CPNP-PC exam for licensure validation of their PNPs.

2015

IPN Campaign for Pediatric Nursing launched

To promote student interest in the pediatric specialty, the Institute of Pediatric Nursing developed the Campaign for Pediatric Nursing. Campaign initiatives include encouraging pediatric RN and PNP careers, and informing families about pediatric nursing roles.

Faces of Certification

PNCB-certified nursing professionals work in a variety of roles and settings throughout the US and beyond. Share your photo today!